Compelling and timely, award-winning author Elizabeth Rusch’s The Twenty-One tells the gripping inside story of the ongoing landmark federal climate change lawsuit, Juliana vs. United States of America. The Twenty-One is for readers of Christina Soontornvat’s All Thirteen, fans of Steve Sheinkin’s books, and anyone interested in the environment and climate change, as well as youth activism, politics and government, and the law.
From severe flooding in Louisiana to wildfires in the Pacific Northwest to melting permafrost in Alaska, catastrophic climate events are occurring more frequently—and severely—than ever. And these events are having a direct impact on the lives (and futures) of young people and their families.
In the ongoing landmark case Juliana vs. United States, twenty-one young plaintiffs claim that the government’s support of the fossil-fuel industry is actively contributing to climate change, and that all citizens have a constitutional right to a stable climate—especially children and young adults, because they cannot vote and will inherit the problems of the future.
Elizabeth Rusch’s The Twenty-One is a gripping legal and environmental thriller that tells the story of twenty-one young people and their ongoing case against the U.S. government for denying their constitutional right to life and liberty. A rich, informative, and multifaceted book, The Twenty-One stars the young plaintiffs and their attorneys; illuminates the workings of the United States’s judicial system and the relationship between government, citizens’ rights, and the environment; and asks listeners to think deeply about the future of our planet.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
America is the greatest democracy in the world . . . isn't it? Author Elizabeth Rusch examines some of the more problematic aspects of our government but, more importantly, offers ways for young people to fix them.
The political landscape has never been so tumultuous: issues with the electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and a lack of representation in the polls and in our leadership have led to Americans of all ages asking, How did we get here?
The power to change lies with the citizens of this great countryespecially teens! Rather than pointing fingers at people and political parties, You Call This Democracy? looks at flaws in the systemand offers a real way out of the mess we are in. Each chapter breaks down a different problem plaguing American democracy, exploring how its undemocratic, offering possible solutions (with examples of real-life teens who have already started working toward them), and suggesting ways to effect changestarting NOW!
Have you ever thought about how you might make the world a better place? If you have, good for you! Did you know that kids with great ideas just like you are putting their ideas to work and helping people everyday? In this book, you'll hear the real life stories of 20 kids who found amazing ways to solve problems that grown-ups couldn't. You'll meet kids like Zachary Ebers, a 14-year-old who collected enough cereal so that kids at his school could have free breakfasts during summer vacation. You'll also get to meet Ann Lai-a 12-year-old inventor who built a sensor to monitor the pollution levels being released from nearby smokestacks-and many others! Award-winning Child magazine columnist Elizabeth Rusch is a frequent contributor to Know Your World Extra, Read, and the Oregonian newspaper. This inspiring book encourages children to volunteer in their communities, brainstorm, and imagine solutions to all kinds of problems, from local to international.
